The One Addicted(50)

“Oh really? You’ve seen my gifts - what do you have in your little box of tricks?”

“My little box is open, uncovered, on show…”

“Wtf, Lu? Are you not wearing underwear?”

“A bra, yes. Panties, oopsies - must have forgotten those when I was fingering myself in the bathroom. Those silver balls are awfully big, I had to push really hard and ever so deep.” I feel a surge of power as his chocolate irises vanishes, as the pupils bleed out, dilating fully and his jaw clenches. “See you upstairs, lover.” I wave over my shoulder, hearing him chuckle lightly at my departure.


I give Abby & Suzie the guided tour of Room 40, 41, 53 and 55 before saving the Honeymoon Suite for last. When we enter, it already has several occupants, all taking in the fabrics, decor and new design. Butterflies dance in my stomach - God, I hope they like it.

Suzie interjects immediately. “Of course everyone will, what’s not to love. It’s out of this world!”

Crap! Did I say that aloud?

“I would die for a bedroom like this, Lu - if I ever get out of that hole I live in you are decorating my new place. Beg beg!” Abby squeezes my arm.

“You need to do the baby’s room first, Sis - I’ve loads of ideas so when you’re ready, but does next weekend work for you?”

“Not next weekend - she’ll be jetting off to Dubai then.”

“Ooh, I forgot about that, Abs. You lucky thing, Lu - I wish G & I could make the hotel launch, it sounds so luxurious.”

“I wish you could come too but we’ll send you loads of selfie’s and update Facebook regularly and ba-ba comes first.” I pat her rounded belly excitedly. “When I get back, we’ll sit down and sort through some ideas and I’ll get it all done for you in time for the birth, I promise.”

“I know you will - Auntie Lulu is a miracle worker isn’t she?”

Abby & I raise our brows at one another and smile— it’s started already - I remembered it well.

“Don’t take the piss - talking to my belly soothes me and the baby.”

“Lu you Ok, you seem to raising your eyebrows for longer than normal? Please don’t tell me you’ve gone and got Botox?” Abs smiles in my direction.

“I’m fine and if and when I want Botox I’ll get it! Actually, I’m just toning up my pelvic floor.”

The chorus of oh’s is enough to end that conversation - every woman understood the eyebrow raise and it was a bloody good job, as keeping these pleasure balls in was beginning to become a serious challenge.

“Right guys, bedroom, open fire, as you can see.”

“Ooh, I do like a bit of sex before the fire - good thinking, Lu.” Abby encourages me.

“Nathan did all this Abs, window seats, he made the bed, all the joinery is his practically - he’s a master.”

“I know - a master in the bedroom.” She winks at us both.

“Through here is the bathroom.”I hear their ooh’s and ahh’s as we enter and I’m pleased as it is the reaction I was going for. “Self explanatory really, but ultra glamorous.”

“Lulu, this is amazing!”

I locate a familiar face entering the bedroom and kiss both girls. “I’m going to go smooze - you ok now?”

“Perfect. Seriously, Lu, fabulous work.” Abby imitates Suzie’s words and I grin.

“You just keep saying that, really loudly to all and sundry and I’ll pay you later.” On a wink I head in to catch my next client, Carolyn Walters.



“Lucia - oh I’m so glad you are here. I saw James Marcell downstairs but it’s you I wanted to see.” Her arm sweeps the lounge part of the suite, “This is a fine job you’ve completed here. No wonder James wants to keep you all to himself!”

I smile at her warmth. I haven’t seen her since our last meeting but we’d been in touch via e-mails and the more I had contact with her, the more I liked. She was a savvy business woman who didn’t take any shit - someone I could relate to. “Carolyn - so glad you came. You are already my client so you have no fear that I belong to James Marcell.”

“Ooh, goody.” Her eyes twinkle and I glance to the nearly empty cocktail.

“Can I get you a refill?”

“Do you know I think I will - these Elysium cocktails are delicious - clever marketing strategy that. Might need to get the recipe for the Gilded Fox, we have cocktail hour on a Thursday night. What’s in it?”

“Haven’t a clue I’m afraid - but I know its fundamentally a red velvet martini - to go with the red velvet interior theme. There are Black Cherry Velvet’s and also Grey Goose Vodkas over dry ice. All my assistant’s doing, so I can’t take the credit, I’m afraid.” I grab another red velvet for Carolyn from a nearby waiter and guide her in the direction of the bedroom. “Shall I give you the guided tour?”